1978-1981

Overview

GENERAL
These were the last sets/manuals produced in the UK before the collapse of Airfix in 1981 when all production of Meccano transferred to the French factory. See the 'Theme' section for the Themed sets of this period

A completely new range of sets was introduced in 1978.
However sets No.9 (renamed 'Master Mechanics') and No.10 continued on from the previous range. There are no known additional printing of these manuals in this period

The Pocket Meccano set also remained in production. This is included in the 1970-7 era as the 1978 manual was identical to the 1975 edition.

A Starter & No.1
The A starter and set 1 manuals were identical apart from the covers. It appears that the A Starter set was only available for a very short period as the manuals are quite rare. Also there are two versions of the set contents lists on the rear of the No.1 manual. One version is identical to that on the rear of the A Starter manual which includes the A Starter set and the other version omits the A Starter set contents. The version with the A Starter set contents is very rare.

The additional parts (over the A Starter set) contained in set 1 are not used in the set 1 manual models. Instead there was an additional leaflet included titled 'Extra Parts for Extra Fun' included with the set, which included instructions for five additional models. The A starter and set 1 manuals also included all the Pocket Meccano set models.

No.2, 4 & 5 set manuals
Only one version of the these manuals has been identified.

No.3
Two versions of the No.3 manual have been identified. On the colour photographic spread showing the set models, one version shows them with cheese head bolts and the other with round head bolts.

There are no other identified changes to the manuals during the period